NEDC set to deliver mega project at UNIMAID

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BY YUNUSA BUNU, MARCH 15, 2022 | 09:33 AM


Mohammed Alkali, managing director, North East Development Commission has commenced the assessment and progress of all ongoing projects by the commission in the region.

He was in the University of Maiduguri where he inspected the construction of ultra-modern 300-seater auditorium at Center for the Study of Violent Extremism of the institution.

The assessment was following the commission’s renewed vigor and determination this year towards speedy completion of all its on-going capital projects for commissioning.

The auditorium was requested by Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, vice chancellor of the university in 2021.

'Both our center and the commission are painfully aware of the problems of the Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of violent extremism such as kidnapping, banditry, violence against women and children, ethno-religious and communal crisis, which are deepening the underdevelopment of the North East region,’ Shugaba had said to the commission.

He explained that arresting the phenomenon of violent extremism in all its ramifications is an important requirement in the development of the region and country at large.

He noted that the center is the first of its kinds in the Lake Chad region and it is conceived to provide all interested users the opportunity to easily access and credibly understand extremism and proffer solutions through collaborative research, workshops, seminars and training of students.

He thus requested the intervention of the commission for provision of a befitting conference hall, ICT and dedicated internet line, lecture theatres, seminar room, student common room/lounge, counselling room and e-library, among others, for the smooth operation of the center.

In response, Mr. Alkali also explained that the developmental goal and mandate of the commission will not be achieved until violent extremism is tackled from it root, which thus makes the center a matter of great interest to the commission.

In September 2021, Sadiya Faruq, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development gave approval for the immediate implementation of the VC’s request.

She led a high-powered delegation along with Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno, Dame Pauline Tallen, Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, state minister of education, Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident Humanitarian Coordinator to a ground breaking ceremony of the project at the university's premises.

Mr. Alkali is currently taking a tour to project sites to assess progress of various ongoing projects in all the six North East states of Nigeria.


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